Telescopic transducer mounts

ABSTRACT

A portable electronic apparatus such as a personal digital assistant (IDA) with a telescopic transducer mount on which is mounted a microphone and an earphone, the positions of which are adjustable relative to one another to enable use of the apparatus in a number of different modes, with optimal positioning of the PDA display, microphone and earphone in relation to the user&#39;s eyes, ears and mouth.

[0001] This invention relates to a telescopic transducer mount, whichhas particular but not exclusive application as an extendible earphoneand microphone for portable electronic equipment.

[0002] The recent expansion in the availability of different types ofportable electronic devices is well known. These include laptop and handheld portable computers, the latter sometimes known as electronicorganizers or personal digital assistants. Mobile telephones are alsowell known and these are increasingly being integrated with smallportable computers to form a convenient hand held multifunctional unit,for example as in the Nokia 9000 Communicator, which combines a personaldigital assistant with a mobile telephone.

[0003] The inherent problem with devices in which the user needs tointeract with the display while also using an earphone and/ormicrophone, is that the display needs to be positioned at a comfortableviewing distance, while any microphone should optimally be near theuser's mouth, and any speaker or earphone near the user's ear. Thecomfortable viewing distance can depend on what is comfortable for anindividual as well as on the use of the apparatus, for example if it isto be hand-held at a comfortable focusing distance for reading a displayscreen, or if, in the case of a laptop for example, the apparatus isgenerally used at arm's length while the user is typing.

[0004] The present invention provides portable electronic apparatuscomprising display means and a telescopic transducer mount comprising aplurality of sections, wherein the mount includes an audio transducerand is operable such that the position of the transducer is adjustablerelative to the display means. The display means may be a liquid crystaldisplay within a body which includes processing means for runningprograms.

[0005] The transducer may be a microphone or an earphone which may beadjusted to be close to the user's mouth or ear respectively, enabling auser to provide voice input to, or to listen to sound output from, forexample, a multi-media program, while continuing to view the displaygenerated by the program.

[0006] Such an apparatus may provide a second audio transducer mountedto the same mount, wherein the first transducer is a microphone and thesecond transducer is an earphone. The positions of the microphone andearphone are adjustable relative to one another and relative to thedisplay means. This addresses the problem of the user's eye, ear andmouth operating at different distances from a portable electronicdevice.

[0007] The location of the earphone and the microphone on the sametelescopic mount and adjustable in position relative to one anotherenables the mount, earphone and microphone to be arranged in a number ofpositions, so that the apparatus can function in a number of differentmodes.

[0008] A further advantage is that the distance between the microphoneand the earphone can be adjusted for optimal performance according tothe needs of each user.

[0009] The invention further provides that the telescopic mount may beconveniently folded into a recess in the body of the portable electronicapparatus. This avoids the inconvenience related to solutions whichprovide for a headset linked by a flexible wire to the apparatus.

[0010] In another aspect, the invention provides telescopic transducermount apparatus comprising an audio transducer and means for releasablyconnecting the mount to an electronic apparatus, wherein the mount isoperable such that the position of the transducer is adjustable relativeto the connecting means.

[0011] The provision of a mount separate from the apparatus enablesexisting electronic apparatus to benefit from the invention byconnecting the mount to the apparatus via a standard interface andproviding suitable software to operate with the microphone and earphonelocated on the mount.

[0012] The invention further provides that the microphone and earphonemay be located on separate telescopic mounts, allowing each transducerto be adjusted independently of the other.

[0013] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way ofexample with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a personal digital assistant (PDA)combining the functions of personal computer and mobile telephone;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a side view of the PDA along the line A-A′, showing thetelescopic mount folded away into a recess in the body of the PDA;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a side view as in FIG. 2, showing the position of thetelescopic mount when the PDA is used as a mobile telephone;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a side view as in FIG. 2, showing the position of thetelescopic mount when the PDA is being used for dictation;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a side view of the PDA as in FIG. 2, showing theposition of the telescopic mount when extended for use of both themicrophone and earphone;

[0019]FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the invention, in which themicrophone and earphone are connected by a friction hinge;

[0020]FIG. 7 shows a cross-section through the friction hinge along theline B-B′ in FIG. 6;

[0021]FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment of the invention, showing themount separately from the portable electronic apparatus to which it isto be connected;

[0022]FIG. 9 shows a fourth embodiment of the invention, showing theprovision of the microphone and earphone on two separate mounts;

[0023]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a reel device; and

[0024]FIG. 11 is a plan view of the device in FIG. 10 with its springcover removed.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a first embodiment of the inventioncomprises a display 1 mounted in a body 2 with user input means 3. Thedisplay 1 may be a flat panel liquid crystal display as is used in manytypes of hand-held computer. The body contains microcomputer circuitry,memory and a battery power pack as would be found in hand-held computerssuch as the Psion 3-series personal organiser. It also containscircuitry enabling the unit to be used as a mobile telephone. The userinput means 3 is, for example, a keyboard. Standard connectors, such asCentronics or RS-232 types, may also be provided in the body 2 to enableconnection to a printer and other external peripherals. A PCMCIA slotmay also be provided in the body 2 to enable PCMCIA cards to be used,for example to allow connection to external disk drives, additionalmemory or any of the other large range of currently available PCMCIAperipherals.

[0026] The telescopic mount 4 (shown in FIG. 2) is connected to the bodyvia a connecting means 5, for example a universal joint. The mount 4comprises a number of sections 4 a-n and includes an earphone 6 at theend of the final section 4 n of the mount furthest from the universaljoint 5. It further includes a microphone 7 mounted near the top of thesection 4(n−1) of the mount immediately before the final section 4 n. Amicrophone 8 is provided to the body 2 of the PDA when the PDA is to beused as a mobile telephone.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 2, when the telescopic mount 4 is not in use,it may be conveniently folded away in recess 9 in the body 2 of the PDA.

[0028] FIGS. 3 to 5 illustrate the various modes in which the PDA may beused.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 3, when the PDA is to be used as a mobiletelephone, the telescopic mount is in its fully retracted position andis arranged so that the user speaks into the microphone 8 on the body 2,while the earphone 6 at the end of the telescopic mount is adjusted soas to be close to the user's ear.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 4, when voice input such as dictation to thePDA is required, the mount 4 is extended until the microphone 7 is closeto the user's mouth, which may for example be between 6 inches and 3feet away from the body of the PDA, whilst the user may continue to viewthe display 1. For example, in a word processor mode, the softwarerunning in the PDA may directly convert voice input into the microphone7 into corresponding text on the display 1. In this mode, the earphone 6is not used.

[0031] It is envisaged that, with suitable voice recognition technology,the microphone 7 may be used as at least one of the user input means 3,thus largely obviating the need for a keyboard. This may have the addedadvantage of enabling the display area to be increased for a givendevice size. Other user input means may also be used instead of akeyboard to increase the available display area, including keys of the‘trackerball’ type, or a virtual touchscreen keyboard.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 5, in this mode, the mount is intended for useof both earphone 6 and microphone 7, with the mount 4 being movedrelative to the display 1 and extended until the microphone 7 is closeto the user's mouth. The top section 4 n of the telescopic mount is alsoextended until the earphone 6 is close to the user's ear. With the mountin this position, the user may continue to view the display 1. This modeof operation is particularly suitable where the display 1 includes aminiature video camera and associated circuitry, so that the apparatusmay be used as a videophone. In this configuration, the mount may beadjusted so that the microphone 7 is, for example, between 6″ and 3′away from the body of the videophone, depending on the distance whichmakes for comfortable viewing by the user.

[0033] With appropriate software, the PDA may also be configured to readout, via the earphone 6, text appearing in the display 1, or to playsounds associated with the images being displayed.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 6, in a second embodiment of the invention, themount is extended and the position of the microphone 7 relative to theearphone 6 is adjusted by means of a friction hinge 10 connecting thesections bearing the microphone and earphone.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 7, the hinge 10 comprises a pin 11 which bindsthe two parts 12, 13 of the section 4 n tightly together so that thefriction of the parts rubbing together is sufficient to keep each partin position. Alternatively, a relatively thin ring of a suitablematerial such as a rubber may be placed between the parts 12, 13 in theregion of the pin 11, to enhance the friction effect.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 8, a third embodiment of the inventioncomprises a telescopic mount 4 on a universal joint 5 located in anenclosure 14 which includes a connector 15, such as an edge connector,for releasably connecting the mount to a portable electronic apparatus,for example through an existing port on the apparatus or via a PCMCIAsocket.

[0037] The enclosure 14 may be free standing, with a cable connectionbetween the connector 15 and the connector of the electronic apparatus.This allows the mount to be used as an add-on peripheral for bothportable and non-portable electronic apparatus, for example a standardPC.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 9, a fourth embodiment of the inventioncomprises a first telescopic mount 4 on a universal joint 16 and asecond telescopic mount 17 on a universal joint 18, both mounted to auniversal joint 19. The enclosure 14 and connector 15 are as describedin relation to the third embodiment. The earphone 6 is located on mount17, while the microphone 7 is located on mount 4, allowing themicrophone and earphone to be adjusted independently of one another.

[0039] In all of the above embodiments, connections between the earphone6 and microphone 7 and the circuitry in the body 2 may be made byconducting leads running within the telescopic mount and through theuniversal joint 5, or by suitable metallic conductors formed inside andalong the length of the mount itself, where the mount is formed from anon-conducting material such as a plastic.

[0040] Where a lead is used to make the necessary connection, the leadmay easily become tangled or jammed. To avoid this, the lead may besprung, so that as the mount is extended, the lead extends with it, andas the mount is retracted, the spring automatically retracts the lead.

[0041] A reel device which is suitable for this purpose is described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,339,461. An alternative reel device is shown in FIGS. 10and 11.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a fixed spindle 21 projects from achassis member 22. The chassis member 22 projects perpendicularly from afirst case member 23 and lies parallel to a second case member 24. Anarcuate wall 25 projects upwardly from the chassis member 22, definingtogether with the first case member 23, a space in which a rotatablespool 26 is located.

[0043] The spool 26 comprises parallel spaced first and second annularflanges 27, 28 connected by an open-ended cylindrical member 29. Thespool 26 is coaxial with the spindle 21. The first flange 27 has aratchet formed in its radially outer margin. A spring biased pawl 30 islocated between the spool 26 and the first case member 23 and engagesthe ratchet on the spool 26. A push button 31 extends through the firstcase portion 23 and bears against the pawl 30. When the push button 31is depressed, the pawl 30 is released from the ratchet.

[0044] A pair of flexible leads 32, 33 are wound around the spool 26.The proximal ends of the flexible leads 32, 33 are coupled to one end ofa sprung lead 34 coiled within the spool 26. The other end of the sprunglead 34 is fixed to the spindle 21. The spindle 21 is provided withelectrical contacts for providing electrical connections to signalcarrying parts of the sprung lead 34.

[0045] A cover 35 is retained over the sprung lead 34 by a latch on thespindle 21.

[0046] It will be appreciated that the telescopic mount may be used withmany different types of electronic apparatus, either as an integral partof that apparatus or as an add-on peripheral, with the provision ofsuitable software. Further possible enhancements include motorisation ofthe telescopic action.

1. Portable electronic apparatus comprising display means and atelescopic transducer mount comprising a plurality of sections, whereinthe mount includes an audio transducer and is operable such that theposition of the transducer is adjustable relative to the display means.2. Portable electronic apparatus according to claim 1, includingprocessing means configured to perform a program which makes use of thedisplay means and the transducer for I/O functions.
 3. Portableelectronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display meanscomprises a display mounted in a body.
 4. Portable electronic apparatusaccording to claim 3, further including a microphone mounted to thebody.
 5. Portable electronic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein themount folds into a recess in the body.
 6. Portable electronic apparatusaccording claim 1, wherein the display means is configured to enable useof the apparatus as a videophone.
 7. Portable electronic apparatusaccording to claim 1, comprising a combined hand-held personal computerand mobile telephone.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thetransducer is a microphone or an earphone.
 9. Apparatus according toclaim 1, further including a second audio transducer mounted to atelescopic transducer mount.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 9, whereinthe first and second transducers are mounted to the same mount. 11.Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first transducer is amicrophone and the second transducer is an earphone.
 12. Apparatusaccording to claim 11, wherein the microphone and earphone are locatedon separate sections of the mount.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 11,wherein the distal section of the mount is divided into two separatelimbs connected by hinge means, the microphone and earphone beinglocated on respective ones of said limbs.
 14. Apparatus according toclaim 13 wherein the hinge means comprises a friction hinge. 15.Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the extension and retraction ofthe mount is motorised.
 16. Telescopic transducer mount apparatuscomprising an audio transducer and means for releasably connecting themount to an electronic apparatus, wherein the mount is operable suchthat the position of the transducer is adjustable relative to theconnecting means.